Connecticut’s buck-a-dog law pays (a little)

Animal control officers across the state may be missing out on a money perk that falls under an obscure state statute allowing them to collect $1 from the municipality for every dog adopted or returned to its owner.

Milford appears to be one of the few municipalities — if not the only one — where the animal control officer actually claims the fee, built into its department budget.

“It’s not a get-rich perk,” said Milford Animal Control Officer Scott Ellingson. “It gives you incentive to do what you can for the animals.”

Ray Connors, supervisor of the state’s Animal Control division, said the statute was first written in 1949 when many in the job, then known as “dog warden,” didn’t get other pay or a salary.

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The statute was updated in 1951, 1953, 1957 and 1969. While it is not clear what changes were made or whether $1 per dog was the original amount awarded, that is what salaried animal control officers are entitled to today. For those not on salary, but paid hourly, the amount is $5 per dog.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $1 in 1949 had the buying power of $10 today.

Under the Connecticut statute, 22-334, the money is paid from each municipal budget, so there’s no central list, but said he believes few animal control officers cash in on the perk. Connors didn’t think anyone took the perk until he was informed about Milford.

A survey of New Haven area municipalities showed many, including New Haven, Woodbridge and North Haven do not claim the fees. In West Haven, where there was $326 potentially up for grabs last year based on activity, an animal control officer who answered the telephone — but would not identify herself — said, “I’ve been here eight years and I’ve never heard of that. I don’t think any of us knows about it.”

In Milford, there is a long-standing tradition of claiming the money, which doesn’t add up to much in today’s economy. Last year, according to state statistics, Milford had 193 dogs adopted out or returned to their owners, according to the state’s 2013-2014 fiscal year records.

Former longtime Milford Animal Control Officer Pat Liptak, who held the job for 24 years and collected the perk, as did her predecessor, said $50 in a month is about the most she’s seen in the fees.

Although animal control officers are free to do what they want with the money, Liptak said she used it to buy lunch, coffee, donuts for the staff and to buy extras for the animals.

Liptak said it wouldn’t seem right to spend the money otherwise.

“I think it gives people incentive; it’s a good thing,” she said.

Ellingson, new on the job, said he too, will treat staff to pizza and other goodies.

In New Haven, city spokesman Laurence Grotheer, checked it out and said in an email, “there is no $1/dog bounty paid.” According to state numbers, the city’s animal control officer would have been entitled to $306.

In North Haven, First Selectman Michael Freda said his town “doesn’t participate,” in the program. There were 77 dogs in North Haven either adopted or returned last fiscal year.

Attorney Norm Pattis said it is not likely animal control officers who have missed out on the fees can collect back payment because of something in law called “laches,” which permits the opposing party to say, “Aw, c’mon,” an unreasonable amount of time has passed.